Limitless

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Limitless

PG-13

2011

1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

202 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Morra is sure that he has no future. That all changes when an old friend gives him a drug that produces enhanced mental acuity. Stoked on the untested chemical, Eddie rises to the top of the financial world and attracts the attention of a tycoon (Robert De Niro) who intends to use him to make a fortune. But terrible side-effects and a dwindling supply threaten to collapse Eddie's house of cards.

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Critics Consensus

Although its script is uneven, Neil Burger directs Limitless with plenty of visual panache, and Bradley Cooper makes for a charismatic star.

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Keith Uhlich

Time Out

Every generation gets its Boiler Room.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 9, 2023

Full Review

Kimber Myers

The Playlist

Paradoxically absorbing, yet cliched and empty, this power-based New York story is a bit of an entertaining thrill ride, probably far more popcorn-engrossing than it deserves to be...

Rated: C+

Aug 15, 2013

Full Review

Philip French

Guardian

[An] ingenious, extremely violent thriller...

Mar 28, 2011

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The slickness and coolness of "Limitless" is also cemented by Bradley Cooper's performance.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 20, 2025

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Its science fiction premise about the enhanced drug has a gripping start, but it never breaks its limits and loses the dose of suspense when it frequents common places that, as a side effect, make it terribly dull. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

May 11, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Limitless is frustrating because there are plenty of compelling ideas at work here, but they’re dumbed down by a screenplay that isn’t capable of being as intelligent as its central character.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 31, 2023

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Cfunk D

Neat concepts and fun to watch one time. Other than that it's a pretty stupid and pointless movie. Dumb deaths and unnecessary gangsters

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/04/25

Full Review

Jake S.

One of my more favorite flicks from 2011 for sure

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/22/25

Full Review

Jace T

I have a pretty soft spot from nostalgia for this film. I have a really good time every time I watch it. However, the absolute drive to take experimental drugs so you can maximize your time and productivity is absolutely a capitalist hellscape. On the other than, unlocking all of your brain and utilizing your skills to your fullest ability sounds like a dream come true! All in all, this movie is a very fun time, and we all wish we could live a better more fulfilling life.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

Full Review

Eric N.

Very entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat. The only problem I have is the ending which felt incomplete. Eddie didn’t have much character development and the ending made it seem as if NZT had no negative effects on him and he wouldn’t face any consequences for any of the stuff.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/14/25

Full Review

mark g

Surprisingly good and slickly directed. Cooper is at the top of his game.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

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john b

bradley was top notch. The story was exciting and fast paced. Just when you think things would not work out, bradley always found a solution.Exciting, suspenseful and intelligent.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

Full Review

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Neil Burger

Director

Bradley Cooper

Eddie Morra

Robert De Niro

Carl Van Loon

Abbie Cornish

Lindy

Anna Friel

Melissa

Andrew Howard

Gennady

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Synopsis

Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Morra is sure that he has no future. That all changes when an old friend gives him a drug that produces enhanced mental acuity. Stoked on the untested chemical, Eddie rises to the top of the financial world and attracts the attention of a tycoon (Robert De Niro) who intends to use him to make a fortune. But terrible side-effects and a dwindling supply threaten to collapse Eddie's house of cards.

Director: Neil Burger
Producer: Leslie Dixon, Scott Kroopf, Ryan Kavanaugh
Screenwriter: Leslie Dixon
Distributor: Relativity Media
Production Co: Many Rivers, Boy of the Year
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Disturbing Images|Sexuality|Thematic Material Invol Drugs|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $79.2M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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